Wait eighteen years for what? I asked.
He jerked so hard, Dyter almost flew from his grip. In my old life, I’d never imagined seeing a sheepish Drae, but Tyrrik fit that description right now, confirming my suspicions his thoughts had turned back to dancing potential maypoles.
As the next two hours whittled by, the green patches sprung up in clusters more frequently. Not overly, but instead of every thirty to forty minutes of flight time, the lush vegetation appeared every twenty or so. Was that a sign the Phaetyn was in the area below? Or was Kamini’s elder sibling purposely misleading us?
Movement below put me on alert. More Druman, I said, already pushing up into the cloud line.
Tyrrik followed, much slower.
The scouting party was gathered around a cluster of the green growth again, and there were eight of them this time. That can’t be coincidence.
The Drae took his time answering. Two scouting parties around the green patches is suspicious, he admitted. But if they are hunting for her, they are spread out over a huge area. They have no more idea where she is than we do.
But what if they get to her first?
He sighed mentally, and I heard his weariness and frustration. If I was stronger, we could search for her right now. But I can’t risk an encounter with Druman. I wouldn’t be able to protect you.
Not being able to protect me bothered him way more than it should. But I could feel his strain. Moreover, he was right; two scouting parties over hundreds of miles wasn’t enough to get my skirt in a twist. Al’right. We have time. Let’s go to Gemond, and then we can go out from there and search, once you’re better.
He glanced back. Thank you, Princess. I’m sorry . . . I’m weakened.
I’d never heard a stupider apology in my life, and I told him so. His lack of response was real confirmation of his fatigue.
I’ll need to rest soon, Tyrrik said.
Only thirty minutes or so had passed since our previous conversation. He sounded exhausted in my head, and I blew out through my nostrils. This was taking much longer than I’d anticipated. Okay, for how long?
He bared his fangs and grudgingly answered, I don’t think I should take flight again today.
I scanned the ground for Druman, but I hadn’t seen any since the last group. I could take the opportunity of Tyrrik resting to scout the area for Kamini’s sister. You land, I thought, I want to continue searching for the Phaetyn.
No.
If I had eyebrows right now, they’d be raised. Excuse me?
You are not remaining in the sky without me. It’s not safe.
My tail twitched. Care to rephrase that? Really fast.
Tyrrik twisted to glance back at me. Princess, I’m tired, very tired, and I require rest. If you’re in the sky and I cannot see you, I will not be able to rest.
Sure you can. Just close your little ol’ eyes and have a kip.
He chuffed, a frustrated sound coming from his Drae lips. It’s exhausting to act against my protective instincts, and I’m far too tired to fight the mating . . . He faced the front. The thought of you in danger without me there to defend you will drive me mad. You have no idea how much effort it took to keep up the pretense while you were in the castle. When I said nothing he added, I was only able to do it because the alternative was so much worse. If you wish to continue, I’ll stay with you for as long as I can, but I cannot leave you alone and unprotected.
I took a final glance around.
Unless you wish to help me? he asked.
I growled, knowing he’d hear the sound despite the wind snatching the snarl away. And that won’t mean anything to you. To the bond between us?
Some of my Drae powers were instinctual like my sense of smell or talking with Tyrrik in my head. Shifting had been difficult at first, and I still struggled to control my body when my emotions were high. The energy between Tyrrik and me was something I didn’t understand.
My Phaetyn powers felt different. That energy was fluid, and it seemed like the well of power was deep and all mine. Yes, there was a learning curve, but it was still all me.
This mating-bond power felt like tenacious fibers, the threads were thin but incredibly strong. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be tied to anyone. At least not now, and maybe not ever. If I pushed power into those bonds . . .
Tyrrik didn’t reply.
Will giving you some of my Drae energy affect the bond between us? I asked again, so irritated I was about ready to bite his tail off. My frustration might’ve been why Tyrrik chose that moment to descend.
Yes, he finally answered.
I knew it! Freakin’ manipulative Drae! Yes? How?
He descended faster. Dyter was looking between us, and I struggled to remember that beating Tyrrik to death with my tail would hurt the human I loved.
Tyrrik’s voice came to me strained with trepidation as he replied, Doing so will tie us closer together. It will also break more of the barriers between our thoughts.
He’d offered the innocuous information with far too much anxiety. Tyrrik, tell me everything. I’m serious. If you don’t, I will never, ever mate with you How could I trust someone with my life, want to protect theirs, yet still have to make sure they weren’t keeping me in the dark?
You will begin to feel more as I do. Anxious to be parted, nearly overwhelmed by my smell, and your body will want mine.
My body already was pretty interested in his. That wasn’t my problem. You were just going to leave that part out? Am I going to go crazy? Am I going to lose my mind?
He hesitated, one hundred meters above the mountain tops. If you strengthen the bond, my hold over you will grow stronger.
Even in this Drae form, my heart grew cold. What do you mean?
Do you remember when I used to kiss you?
Why did I get the feeling I wasn’t going to like what he said next?
A male Drae is able to control his mate in life and death situations; it’s for survival of the species. The effect of my kiss used to wear off on you quickly, I assume because of your Phaetyn side, but as the mate bond grows, so will my protective power over you.
Control me? Like a blood oath?
Tyrrik didn’t have time to answer as we neared the ground. I pulled away to give him space to land safely with Dyter, but fury gnawed in my chest. I landed and immediately shifted back to Phaetyn. My power in Phaetyn form was limited, but I didn’t trust my Drae with the explosive emotions racking me while Dyter was close by.
I began to pace the rocky mountain, breathing hard as I waited for Tyrrik to change back. How could he hide that from me? Did he really think I was going to give him any more power to manipulate me?